WEEK 5: The Family of God

Introduction: We have been adopted into the family of the Father through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, which has been validated and verified by the Holy Spirit. We now see fellow believers as family—brothers and sisters in the household of God.

Read the following verses and observe the various ways this metaphor is described in Scripture. How do each of these synonymous terms broaden our understanding of what it means to be members of God’s family?

• John 1:12 (“children of God”)• 2nd Corinthians 6:18 (“sons and daughters”)• Galatians 6:10 (“household of faith”)• Ephesians 2:19 (“household of God”)• 1st Thessalonians 5:5 (“children of light”)

According to Galatians 3:26, how does one enter God’s family?

Read 1st Timothy 3:14-16 and discuss the following.• How is God described in this passage?• What is a particular role of God’s family (the church) found in this passage?• In what ways can we individually and corporately fulfill this task? (1 John 3:16-18)

How does Jesus describe His family in Matthew 12:46-50?

Read Galatians 4:4-7 and Romans 8:14-17 and discuss the following.• What similarities do you notice in these passages?• Describe the practical differences between a son and a slave?• Why might a child of God be tempted to fall back into fear? Have you ever

struggled believing that you belong to God? Explain.• According to the texts we’ve just read, what are some evidences that we indeed

belong to the Father?

Application: Personal & Corporate • How can we personally and corporately display our belonging to God’s family in

our day-to-day lives? What does it look like in this specific season? Explain.• When you consider being part of God’s family, what is the most encouraging

aspect of this metaphor? What is its greatest challenge to you personally?